Handmade Black and White Processing

How to process black and white film at home, in your bathroom. Steps for generic Rodinal process and ATP 1.1 process.

Using the same set-up as for color processing, here is a method to process some black and white films and a method to process the fantastic Rollei ATP 1.1.

The methods given here are for these chemistries (all diluted in distilled water), by rotary process, at a constant 20°C temperature. I ordered chemistries from macodirect, they have everything and they are super-professionals.

1. Generic Rodinal process

Following these durations and dilutions:

I obtained these results with Kodak TMax 400, in a Holga 120 GN (with a modified aperture):

These with Kodak Tx 400, in the same Holga 120 GN:

And these with Rollei Retro 400, in a Yashica C:

If you ever test these durations and dilutions with other films, please inform me of the outcome… Here’s another method from rater, another one from eggzakly, How to process the Efke Aura IR820 with Rodinal is described in Rater’s review, and finally a nice table for many other films.

2. Rollei ATP 1.1 process

I always wanted to reproduce the results I obtained once with this film, which was processed by a lab in Québec. I guess they used a generic developer… But I wanted to try what’s advised by Rollei to hopefully get the best results. This film is particular: no pre-rinse, or rinse in water, only chemistries! And do not squeegee the film after the process, just let it dry without touching it (don’t even stare at it too much). Also, it is an Advanced Technical Superpanchromatic film, which sounds super cool.

I followed these durations and dilutions:

Since it is a polyester film it is very VERY curly after the process. When you hang the film to dry, you’ll need little weights to attach at the lower part of the films. And after it’s dry and in a protective filer, roll it around a cylinder of your choice and hold it with elastic bands for at least 24 hours (it looks smart, but doesn’t really work):

I got some crappy, but interesting, results with smoky skies:

But also some nicer ones, with sometimes the contrast burst I was hoping for:

written by stouf on 2010-10-29 #gear #tutorials #film #diy #black-and-white #developing #rollei #lab-rats #drum #homemade #lab-rat #rodinal #tipster #process #development #b-w #bathtub #handmade #chemistry #processing #spools #black-and-white #chemistries #jobo #chemical #lab-rats #atp-dc #atp-1-1 #maco #film-processing